Astonishing Prayer

It’s day two of Astonishing Prayer, and in today’s study, we will dedicate our time to reflecting on the power of prayer in our call to tell people about Jesus. Here is the text we will be meditating on:

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
Matthew 9:35-38

It is ironic that Jesus’ instruction and application, even after pointing out a critical need, were not to recruit. It was not to “Pull yourselves up by the bootstraps.” It was not even to “Start laboring!” Instead, Jesus’ application was simple: “Ask the Lord.”

If you are anything like me, you are probably rather independent. If a job needs to get done, you will figure out a way to do it, and if no one joins you, you will do it all by yourself. While there is a lot of good to be extracted from this individualistic mindset, it leaves us with a tendency to lay aside our ability to humbly access an omnipotent God — our most valuable asset — and instead rely on our own abilities, giftings, talent, and determination. We get it half right and half wrong when we live this way, especially when the Spirit wants to cultivate God-dependence in the soil of our minds.

It is astonishing that the most effective strategy you can take toward convincing your son or daughter, roommate or coworker, neighbor or friend that Jesus is who He said He is, is to pray. Because prayer is a non-physical activity that involves no one other than yourself and a seemingly intangible God, it feels ineffective. Perhaps also because we are hardwired to accomplish things with our minds, hands, and community, we are predisposed to think that stillness equates to inaction and contemplation to passivity. However, we do not operate in light of our feelings alone but, ultimately, in light of what God’s Word says is true. Here is what His Word says about the effectiveness of Prayer as a strategy for leading people to Jesus:

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

God’s strategy incorporates the deposits of His people, but growth and life-change are His doing.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Colossians 4:2-4

Prayer opens otherwise bolted doors for the advancement of the Gospel.

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

Acts 16:14

God can affect the receptivity of listeners — why not ask Him to?

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people… This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

1 Timothy 2:1-4

To contend for others is to align your activity in life with the wants of God.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

James 5:16-18

Prayer puts God’s capability into operation.¹

What a resource we have in access to the Father! May we never grow nearsighted to the spiritual world in which we are living. If God’s Word is true, it means our prayers are heard, our efforts are effective, and the most stone-hearted people are always a glimpse-at-God away from unwavering faith.

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God, give us eyes to see eternity and ears to hear what is spiritual, here and now. Let us not neglect the resource we have in access to You, and may our first resort always be to seek You in prayer.

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¹Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). In A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 335). University of Chicago Press. The Greek word ‘energeo’ is behind the translation of the English word, “effective.” It’s where we get the word ‘energy’ and is literally translated, “ to put one’s capabilities into operation.”